Industrial Research and Assessment Centers

The Industrial Research and Assessment Centers Program is designed to provide funding for institutions of higher education, community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs to identify opportunities for optimizing energy efficiency and environmental performance at manufacturing and other industrial facilities.

Overview

Office:

Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains

New Program:

No

Funding amount:

$150,000,000

Funding Mechanism:

Cooperative Agreement

Recipients:

Institutions of Higher Education, Community College, Trade School, Or Union Training Program

Period of Availability:

Available until expended

More Information

Eligible Uses

To provide in-depth assessments of small- and medium-sized manufacturer plant sites to evaluate the facilities, services, and manufacturing operations of the plant sites; to identify opportunities for optimizing energy efficiency and environmental performance, including implementation of—

Smart manufacturing
Energy management systems
Sustainable manufacturing
Information technology advancements for supply chain analysis, logistics, system monitoring, industrial and manufacturing processes, and other purposes
Waste management systems;

To promote applications of emerging concepts and technologies in small- and medium-sized manufacturers (including water and wastewater treatment facilities and federally owned manufacturing facilities); to promote research and development for the use of alternative energy sources to supply heat, power, and new feedstocks for energy-intensive industries; to coordinate with appropriate Federal and State research offices; to provide a clearinghouse for industrial process and energy efficiency technical assistance resources; and to coordinate with State-accredited technical training centers and community colleges, while ensuring appropriate services to all regions of the United States.

Next Milestone

Estimated application opening date for Centers for Excellence restricted eligibility opportunity for current IHE IACs, 4th Quarter 2022.
Estimated application opening date for IAC expansion to community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs, 2nd Quarter 2023.